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Three teams have been selected to bid for the contract of the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) expansion and Arts Court redevelopment project. The project was approved by City Council in November 2013, according to a statement.

A request for qualifications (RFQ) process, initiated on November 29, 2013 and which closed on February 7, 2014, has resulted in the selection of three shortlisted respondent teams from a collection of submissions received.

The purpose of the RFQ was to establish a shortlist of capable and experienced developers and/or consortia with the proven ability to manage and execute the project. This shortlist of three qualified respondent teams will be invited to participate in the subsequent request for proposals (RFP) process.

The proposed $34-million capital project at Daly Avenue and Waller Street will include:a new and larger Ottawa Art Gallery; a new 250-seat multi-purpose and film screening room within the new OAG space; a new 120-seat black box theatre and four classrooms for the University of Ottawa; repurposing of space vacated by the OAG and reallocation to the major media arts partners; and development of a connection between new construction and existing buildings on four floors to establish a truly integrated and functional facility.

With a targeted release of the RFP scheduled for the end of March, the three shortlisted respondent teams will have until June 2014 to prepare and submit their final proposals to the city for evaluation.

City staff anticipates an announcement of the outcome of the RFP and the successful team in July 2014.